Recognizing and reacting to the warning signs of poor adherence in patients may help overcome adherence issues. There are a number of ways to help encourage patient adherence to oral anticancer therapy:
- Educate patients and their families about disease characteristics and the risks and benefits of treatment through an effective dialogue that includes detailed questions to determine true treatment habits1-3
- Provide easy-to-follow dosing schedules1
- Actively address adverse events and be aware of concomitant medications2
- Provide information on how to contact the oncology staff for guidance2
- Encourage patients to enroll in an adherence program1
Encourage patients to remain adherent to therapy by providing guidance and counseling at every office visit1-3
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References
- Osterberg L, Blaschke T. Adherence to medication. N Engl J Med. 2005;353(5):487-497.
- Moore S. Facilitating oral chemotherapy treatment and compliance through patient/family-focused education. Cancer Nurs. 2007;30(2):112-122.
- Ruddy K, Mayer E, Partridge A. Patient adherence and persistence with oral anticancer treatment. CA Cancer J Clin. 2009;59(1):56-66.
